Wednesday, December 14, 2011

cleave \kleev\, verb:

1. To adhere closely; stick; cling.

2. To remain faithful.

3. To split or divide by or as if by a cutting blow, especially along a natural line of division, as the grain of wood.

4. To make by or as if by cutting.

5. To penetrate or pass through (air, water, etc.).

6. To cut off; sever.

7. To part or split, especially along a natural line of division.

8. To penetrate or advance by or as if by cutting.

Cleave is actually related to two separate but similar Old English words. Cleofan meant “to split,” while clifian meant “to adhere.” Today the same word carries both meanings.

Tebowing

• Getting down on one knee to speak to your invisible friend. Commonly used by athletes to thank the creator of the Universe for taking time out of his/her busy day to ensure you make a good play.

God couldn't save those children from starving to death he was too busy helping that guy score a touchdown. At least the playing is tebowing...

Trivia

An eatery in what fast-food chain served as the McDowell’s Restaurant where Prince Akeem, portrayed by Eddie Murphy, worked in the 1988 film Coming to America?

• Wendy’s. The branch—in Jackson Heights in New York City—was closed for renovations at the time.

History

• St. Lucia's flood: a broken dike in the Netherlands caused one of the worst floods in history; 50,000+ people were killed (1287)
• Alabama: The Yellowhammer State became America's 22nd state (1819)
• South Pole: was first visited by Norwegian explorer Roald Amundsen and his expedition (1911)
• Motown: record label that popularized the Motown Sound was formed in Detroit (1959)
• Apollo program: Eugene Cernan, as a member of Apollo 17, became the last man on the moon so far (1972)

Birthdays

• Nostradamus (1503-1566): astrologer and physician known for his prophecies
• Tycho Brahe: father of modern astronomy (1546-1601)
• Shirley Jackson (1919-1965): author of "The Lottery"
• Charlie Rich (1932-1995): country/western singer, "The Most Beautiful Girl in the World"; plus, singer Sophie Monk (32)
• Stan Smith (65): tennis hall-of-famer; tennis pro Patty Schnyder (33) also celebrates a birthday today
• Michael Owen (32): English World Cup hero
• Vanessa Anne Hudgens (23): actor, High School Musical; also, actors Morey Amsterdam (1914-1996), George Furth (1932-2008), Lee Remick (1935-1991), Hal Williams (73), Patty Duke (65), Dee Wallace (63), Cynthia Gibb (48), KaDee Strickland (36) and Tammy Blanchard (35)